Robert Griffin III's recovery ahead of schedule, doctor reports

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III -- in a development that should shock nobody -- is well ahead of schedule for his recovery from knee surgery, Washington's team doctor told the NFL Network on Friday.

Griffin, the league's offensive rookie of the year, underwent a reconstructive operation last month to repair the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his right knee. The typical recovery and rehabilitation time for a professional athlete is nine to 12 months.

James Andrews, the Redskins' team doctor and a renowned surgeon who performed the operation, thinks there's a good chance that Griffin could start the season opener in September.

"We've got him well on his way," Andrews said. "He is an unbelievable athlete as you well know. His recovery is way ahead of schedule so far. We don't have to do much but try to hold him back, if you want to know the truth."

If he recovers as quickly as Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who finished nine yards short of breaking the NFL's single-season rushing record after recovering from a torn ACL in less than nine months, Griffin will make a September return. But Andrews warned that the team will not jeopardize Griffin's future by setting a Week 1 timetable for his return.

"Our whole mode for him, though, is to do what is best for his career, not necessarily what is best for the first game next season," Andrews said. "So all of that has to be put on hold and let him get well."

Griffin passed for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns as well as rushed for 815 yards -- a rookie record for NFL quarterbacks -- and seven touchdowns last season, when he had the third-best passer rating in the league at 102.3, which is another rookie record and happens to rank 39th in NFL history.

He also set a record for fewest passes intercepted by percentage for a rookie with five in 393 attempts (1.3%).